Ferghana

Just as Uzbekistan is the heart of
Central Asia, the Ferghana Valley is the heart of Uzbekistan. Over seven
million people, about a third of the population, live in this fertile flood
plain of the Syr Darya.

“Golden ring of Ferghana” or “Golden Valley
" is a vast plain, surrounded by ranges: in the north-west by Kuriminsky,
in the north by Chatkal, in the south by Alay and Turkestan.

Ferghana Valley gained
this name in the ancient times thanks to its exceptional flora.

It is known that 5-6
thousand years ago early settlements arose in the Ferghana Valley. People grew
legendary pomegranate, figs, grapes, walnuts, cotton and other crops.

Journey through the
Golden Valley is convenient by any transport: road, rail, bicycle, pedestrian,
etc. Railroads running from the capital of Uzbekistan - Tashkent - form Ferghana
ring.

There are a lot of famous
cities in the Golden Valley.

They are: ancient city, Margilan
that sprung up in times of the Silk Road is known as the industrial centre and
the centre the silk fabrics production; Kokand - one of the most beautiful
centers of the Ferghana Valley; Ferghana – the witness of turbulent historical
events.

Descended from the legendary
dragon-horses of Ferghana were coveted for their great size and speed by the
Han emperor, Wudi. They formed the focus of Chinese campaigns that blasted open
East-West trade routes, taking silk to Europe and wine to China.

Proudly termed the greenest city in Central
Asia by its citizens, Ferghana is usually just a stopover en route to the rest
of the valley, yet its plane- and popular-shaded streets of blue-washed houses
deserve a walkabout.